Operating Theatre Live

CTS joined more than 50 aspiring medics from secondary schools across the Trust to attend an operating theatre workshop held at Kettering Science Academy.

CTS joined more than 50 aspiring medics from secondary schools across the Trust to attend an operating theatre workshop held at Kettering Science Academy.

The students gained valuable hands-on experience in a simulated operating theatre where they learned about medical careers, terminology and anatomy and handled and dissected organs including brains, hearts, kidneys and livers.

The students comprised GCSE and A Level scientists, many of whom are hoping to pursue medical careers. The event, facilitated by Sam Piri and Josh Jones, simulated the equipment and procedures used in a real-life operating theatre. The students calculated anaesthetic dosages, learnt about the anatomy of major organs and carried out practicals, including dissecting tissue specimens.

Science teacher Stephen Cox said: ‘It’s about students getting hands-on experience and realising the importance of accuracy, precision and how rewarding it is to get things right. It is also about improving their science knowledge. Hands-on experience is the best way to learn.’

Haydn from Year 10 at Corby Technical School said: ‘I have liked practising real life procedures, like making the anaesthetic, it is very exciting.’

Sam Piri from Operating Theatre Live said: ‘We run a number of different concepts aimed at getting students inspired to think about more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) subjects. The Government has just announced another 1,500 places and five new medical schools so it is really important that we enthuse the next generation of healthcare professionals. Operating Theatre Live is about making science hands-on, engaging and linking the academic side with the practicals.

‘We are looking at the brain and spinal cord, the eye and some of the cranial nerves, the lungs, trachea and diaphragm and intubation, a medical procedure. We will also be looking at the heart and doing pathology dissections, prepping the specimen into different cross sections. In the final part of the day students will be looking at the gastro intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and small and large intestines. It is a lot to cover in one day but our strategies are tried and tested combinations of lectures and practicals. There’s a great mix of students today and they are all engaged, following instructions and answering questions.’

Karen Hearne, the Trust Director of Science said: ‘This is an excellent opportunity for the students from the different schools to work together and gain hands on experience of the structure and function of the organs in the body. All the content is relevant to the exam requirements so the students are consolidating the knowledge learnt in class, giving more confidence and understanding of key ideas.’